The Guandi Temple in Quanzhou, Fujian province in China. Quanzhou, about 45 minutes on the train from Xiamen, was once a bustling traders’ town at the end of the maritime silk road. The temple stands next to what is left of a 1000 year old mosque, built by the Arab, Persian and Indian traders.

Reminders of another significant part of the region’s history, opium pipes for sale in Quanzhou’s markets.

Ornaments for sale in the markets near Quanzhou’s 1000-year old mosque.

Ornaments for sale at the markets near Quanzhou’s 1000-year old mosque.

A bridge over the Yundang Inner Lake in Xiamen, Fujian province, China

Sunset view of the south shore of Xiamen’s Yundang Inner Lake.

A girl and her father fishing on Xiamen’s Yundang Inner Lake.

Three egrets on the rapids of the inlet to Xiamen’s Yundang Inner Lake.

An egret on the rapids at the inlet to Xiamen’s Yundang Inner Lake.

Egrets lined up to swoop for fish in the rapids at the inlet to Xiamen’s Yundang Inner Lake.